Mich. unions say JRC has ‘declared war,’ threaten strike

Journal Register Company and 21st CMH Acquisition Co., the hedge fund unit that plans to buy it out of bankruptcy, have “declared war,” a bulletin sent to union members says. The bulletin cites what it says are previous union-busting tactics in other markets. In Philadelphia and New York, the union says:

21st CMH sent letters to JRC employees telling them they could apply for their own jobs when 21st CMH becomes the employer. 21st CMH would selectively hire some employees. The new terms of employment by 21st CMH, according to the letters, include:

If the companies “continue on this war path, we expect to seek and obtain strike authorization,” the union reps write. They plan to meet Sunday to discuss the unions’ response. Dave DeLong, president of Teamsters Local 372, said in a phone call there wouldn’t be a strike vote at the meeting. I’ve asked JRC for comment.

Guild units at three JRC-owned papers in suburban Philadelphia — the Delaware County Daily Times, the Norristown Times Herald and the Pottstown Mercury — approved contracts with 21st CMH this week, the Guild said in a press release. Among the provisions: The company can lay off only one person in the first year of the contract.

A friend of mine at a company that produces tv shows and short films for the web got the same sort of deal recently. And that was after a “friendly” merger with another media firm. This deal — lower pay, higher insurance costs, and a vacation cut — is sadly becoming the norm. Of course, he never had a pension plan.